Chess Puzzle #1tT9G — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e8; pawns a4/b3/g2/h3. Black: king h5; queen c2; bishop f1; pawns a6/c5/d4/f4/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh4 — king h5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen e8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qh7 (queen c2→h7).
3. Best move: Qxh7# — queen h8→h7, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/8/p7/2p3pk/P2p1p2/1P5P/2q3PK/5b2 b - - 7 50

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